Upon the beginning of the state, Bangladesh law granted citizenship to persons who were permanent residents of the territories that became Bangladesh on 25 March 1971.[1][2] The wording of the document makes separate mention of those whose father or grandfather was born in the territory and others, but it is unclear that there is any distinction in law between those groups.[2] The law also describes Bengalis who were in West Pakistan during the 1971 war and facing obstacles over returning as permanent residents eligible for Bangladeshi citizenship.[1]

Bangladeshi citizenship is provided primarily jus sanguinis, or through bloodline, irrespectively of the place or legitimacy of the birth.[2] Therefore, any person born to a Bangladeshi woman illegitimately outside Bangladeshi soil would still be a Bangladeshi citizen, whereas a person born to two non-nationals in Bangladesh would not.

Citizenship is acquired at birth when the identity or nationality of the parents is unknown. In this regard, the child is assumed[2] to be born to Bangladeshi nationals, and hence, given citizenship upon birth. Jus soli citizenship is also conferred upon Urdu-speaking people of Bangladesh in May 2008 by a High Court verdict (see below).

Naturalization is not a right of any long-term resident. It is held at the discretion of the Government of Bangladesh, and may be conferred categorically or without certain rights or privileges.[2] Any adult of good character residing in Bangladesh for a period of five years (two, if married to a Bangladeshi), having resided in Bangladesh continuously for 12 months, competent in Bengali language and intending to reside in Bangladesh can apply for naturalization.[2] If naturalized, the person must forfeit any other nationalities held. Any person who is a citizen of a nation where Bangladeshis are not allowed to naturalize (for instance, Saudi Arabia) is not eligible for naturalization.[2]

If denied, a person can appeal against the decision in thirty days, where s/he will be heard; s/he cannot appeal if citizenship is conferred without certain rights or privileges. If accepted, a naturalized citizen must take an oath of allegiance within thirty days of the grant. A person is considered naturalized only after the oath.[2]

Naturalization of an alien man does not automatically extend to his spouse and children, but they may apply as soon as the naturalized man has taken the oath.[2]

Nationality can be revoked only if it was conferred upon a person by naturalization, unless the person willfully surrenders citizenship.[2]

It can be revoked if the naturalized alien provided false information in his/her application. It can also be revoked if the person is sentenced to prison for at least a year or fined at least BDT 1,000 ($14) within five years of the naturalization, or if the person loses contact with Bangladesh for at least seven years. Defection by trade and communication with an enemy at war or remaining a citizen of an enemy state at war will also result in denaturalization.[2]

The independence of Bangladesh from Pakistan in 1971 led to the abandonment in the Bengali-majority state of around half a million "Stranded Pakistanis", colloquially called Biharis, who traced their ethno-linguistic heritage mostly to the Bihar region. Biharis who maintained that they were Bangladeshis were granted citizenship by the Bangladesh Citizenship Order 1972.[2] Biharis who maintained that they were Pakistanis, however, were considered non-nationals, as well as those who found their names at the Red Cross list of refugees.[2] Despite official promises, neither Pakistan nor Bangladesh recognized them as citizens, until as late as May 2008, when the High Court conferred jus soli citizenship to all Urdu-speaking people born and residing in Bangladeshi territory after 1971.[4]

Several hundred thousand Rohingya people fled Myanmar for Bangladesh including 250,000 in 1978 as a result of the King Dragon operation in Arakan. In an attempt to counter the Burmese claims that the Rohingyas are Bangladeshis, the Bangladesh Government amended the Citizenship Order in 1982 to officially declare all Rohingyas non-nationals.[4] Refugee crisis exacerbates because of human rights abuse in UN-run camps in Bangladesh,[5] and refugees are unable to return to Myanmar in fear of the junta.[6]